thoughts on choosing a focus.

For every picture, the photographer has a choice about where to focus the camera. The same scene looks very different when one focuses on the background instead of the foreground. Something stark and bleak can look beautiful in a well-composed photo, when a skilled photographer has captured the scene. And I'm reminded that it's true for how we perceive and interpret situations in our lives as well.

Depending on where we choose to focus, the same event can be viewed as a tragedy, or as God's providence.

I've felt so sad this week at the death of Ben, an M.K. in Kenya, but so appreciated that in the midst of their grief, his family has kept their focus on God's trustworthiness.

They've helped the many people worldwide who followed Ben's sudden illness and prayed for him to trust that Ben is in the hands of the all-powerful God who loves him-- and grieves with them as well.

Here's an article, Why God Doesn't Fully Explain Pain from our home church pastor which has really helped me this week.

And for a "change of focus", here's a link to pictures from our recent days at the beach. I enjoyed experimenting with the camera... and the reminder of how focus changes the picture was a timely one for me.